Other views: Soda warning labels not necessary

Anybody who is paying attention knows that soda pop isn't good for you. We know that ice cream or cookies should be a rare indulgence. A fat juicy steak? Well, you know better. Doesn't everybody?

Nevertheless, the latest nanny-state proposal in the California Legislature comes as no surprise. Sen. William Morning wants to add this to beverage containers that contain at least 75 calories for every 12 ounces: "STATE OF CALIFORNIA SAFETY WARNING: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay."

There's no question that sugary drinks contribute to our national epidemic of obesity, which is a significant problem for the Coachella Valley. The Health Assessment Resource Center (HARC) report released last week found that nearly 60 percent of adults here are overweight or obese. It also found 17.6 percent of Latino children 2 to 17 were obese, compared to 4.2 of whites.

The Latino Coalition for a Healthy California is among the sponsors of the legislation. The California Center for Public Health Advocacy and the California Medical Association also back Senate Bill 1000.

"We're talking about a public health epidemic that will take more lives than gun violence," said Morning, a Democrat from Carmel.

He makes a convincing case:

? One soda a day boosts an adult's chances of being overweight by 27 percent and a child's by 55 percent.

? It can increase the risk of diabetes by 26 percent.

? Sugary drinks are the largest source of added calories in Americans' diet in the past three decades.

A study released in October by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research backs up these contentions. Between 1977 and 2002 Americans increased their caloric intake from soft drinks by more than 200 percent. Consumption declined overall between 2000 and 2010, but the study found the percentage of children 12 to 17 who drink at least one sugary drink a day increased from 60 percent in 2005-07 to 65 percent in 2011-12.

CalBev, the California arm of the American Beverage Association, counters that just 6 percent of calories in the average American diet come from soda, fruit, sports and energy drinks, compared to 11 percent from sweets and desserts. Most calories come from starches, fats and oils in food.

More to the point, the industry started posting calorie totals prominently on the front of many beverage containers as part of its "Clear on Calories" campaign in 2010.

The Rethink Your Drink campaign was launched last year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and locally by the Regional Access Program Foundation and the Riverside County Department of Public Health. One target is the morning coffee shop stop, which has created for many the habit of drinking a liquid candy bar every day. The CDC says switching from a 16-ounce café latte made with whole milk to a 12-ounce made with fat-free milk will reduce your caloric intake from 265 to 125 - and save a little cash.

It emphasizes that water is the best alternative. If you crave flavor, lemon slices or a few ounces of added fruit juice should do the trick.

Nutritional information is almost universal on what we eat and drink. Conscientious consumers read the fine print. Responsible parents don't overindulge their children with foods that lead to obesity and diabetes.

Despite decades of warning labels on cigarette packs and aggressive public service announcements, 16.2 percent of Coachella Valley residents still smoke, the HARC study found. Warning labels on Coke or Pepsi won't stop a certain percentage of people from knocking back a Big Gulp. Those of us who "get it" don't need them.

ServingManitowoc|Two Rivers|Wisconsin

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Other views: Soda warning labels not necessary

Anybody who is paying attention knows that soda pop isn't good for you. We know that ice cream or cookies should be a rare indulgence. A fat juicy steak? Well, you know better. Doesn't everybody?

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